SURREY V WARWICKSHIRE at
the Brit Oval (LVCC1), 9-12 MAY 2007
With the weather forecast to condemn this match to a draw, at last there is
some respite in store for the Brown Caps, who, almost unbelievably, are now 22-1
on www.betfair.com to win the County
Championship. That's three points shorter than prior to their debacle at Old
Trafford! Surrey's opponents, Warwickshire, who currently top the Division One
table, are 4-1 bets for the title; hence my relief that rain is thought likely
to play a part on each of the first three days.
At the last Members Liaison Group meeting, I complained that the fixture list
did the Brown Caps' championship challenge no favours. I was right, but not for
the reasons I first thought. I was concerned that Surrey were disadvantaged by
having so many home games early in the schedule. The reality is that their first
four opponents have turned out to be the four main title challengers.
Sussex, who are now fifth in the betting, are up next for the South
Londoners. Before a ball was bowled this season, many had the Sharks down as
their champo picks. Their judgement looked justified when Sussex trounced Kent
first up, but then they ran into Warwickshire, who have now won their last two
by an innings.
Thus far, the only weak link in the Bears' attack has been 23-year-old
all-rounder Tim Groenewald. Dale Steyn, Naqqash Tahir and James Anyon are all
into double-figures in terms of championship wickets. Now that Heath Streak is
back in the side, after deciding to relinquish the captaincy, everything is on
the up and up in the bowling department.
Warwickshire's batting has a few questions marks against it, though. Despite
the excellent starts that Tim Ambrose and Jim Troughton have enjoyed, Darren
Maddy, Jonathan Trott and Ian Westwood are still to record a sizeable innings in
four-day cricket. That could change, however, with competition in the shape of
Ian Bell and Kumar Sangakkara looming just around the corner. Bell is available
for this match, but the clever money is on him coming in for Groenewald rather
than one of the faltering batters.
The approaching milestones, which could be realised in this match are as
follows: All First-class: Azhar Mahmood 494 wickets, Alistair 44 hundreds, Mark
Butcher 34 hundreds, Rikki Clarke 99 wickets, Darren Maddy 19 hundreds, Mohammad
Akram 940 runs, Mark Ramprakash 28,923 runs & 89 hundreds and Heath Streak
492 wickets. First-class for Warwickshire: Tim Ambrose 847 runs, Neil Carter 144
wickets and Heath Streak 97 wickets.
Overseas signing Matt Nicholson is poised to take his place in the Surrey
line-up, with Jimmy Ormond making way. Azhar Mahmood is still nursing a sore
back, but Ian Salisbury has rejoined the injury list with a troublesome Achilles
tendon strain. Nayan Doshi and Chris Schofield have therefore been placed on
standby.
OPPONENT |
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
SURREY |
OPPONENT |
Lancashire |
'2-4 May 2007 |
Lost By 7 Wickets |
Old Trafford |
284 & 120 |
315 & 90-3 |
Hampshire |
25-28 Apr 2007 |
Lost By 35 Runs |
The Oval |
203 & 467 |
481-9d & 224-1d |
Yorkshire |
18-21 Apr 2007 |
Lost By 346 Runs |
The Oval |
344 & 170 |
494-9d & 266-7d |
Derbyshire |
20-23 Sep 2006 |
Won By 5 Wickets |
Derby |
275-8d & 273-5 |
385 & 162-8d |
Gloucestershire |
6-9 Sep 2006 |
Match Drawn |
Bristol |
288 & 470-9 |
459 & 329-8d |
Even though Warwickshire have recently shown, against Sussex and Worcestershire,
that they just need to bat once to win, the weather forecast looks like it will
dominate proceedings. So, my advice would be - back the draw.
I Westwood, D Maddy (capt), I Bell, J Trott, J Troughton, A Loudon, T
Ambrose (wk), H Streak, D Steyn, N Tahir and J Anyon.
Jeff Evans and Barrie Leadbeater
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
TOSS |
DECISION |
SURREY |
WARWICKS |
10-13
Sep 2005 |
Match Drawn |
Edgbaston |
Warwicks |
Field |
225 &
313-5d |
338
&26-0 |
1-4
Jun 2005 |
Match Drawn |
Whitgift School |
Surrey |
Bat |
340 &
310-7d |
209 &
222-3 |
21-24
Jul 2004 |
Lost By 7 Wickets |
Guildford |
Surrey |
Field |
331 &
412 |
537 &
207-3 |
12-15
May 2004 |
Lost By 7 Wickets |
Edgbaston |
Warwicks |
Bat |
302 &
414 |
546 &
171-3 |
9-12
Jul 2003 |
Won By 135 Runs |
Edgbaston |
Surrey |
Bat |
355 &
450-5d |
245 &
425 |
30
Apr - 3 May 2003 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Warwicks |
Bat |
390 |
413 &
221-7d |
27-30
Aug 2002 |
Match Drawn |
Edgbaston |
Warwicks |
Bat |
544 |
345 &
404-9d |
10-13
Jul 2002 |
Lost By 31 Runs |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Bat |
475 &
137 |
293 &
350 |
21-23
Jul 1999 |
Won By An Inns & 123
Runs |
Edgbaston |
Surrey |
Bat |
483 |
227 &
133 |
23-27
Apr 1998 |
Won By An Inns & 49
Runs |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Field |
405-6d |
207 &
149 |
2-5
Jul 1997 |
Lost By 5 Wickets |
Edgbaston |
Warwicks |
Field |
193 &
144 |
306 &
34-5 |
29-31
Aug 1996 |
Won By An Inns & 164
Runs |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Field |
468 |
195 &
109 |
4-8
May 1995 |
Lost By 91 Runs |
Edgbaston |
Surrey |
Field |
288 &
301 |
470 &
210-4d |
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